The Nugg Doctor follows the Denver Nuggets exclusively and sometimes provides glimpses back into some classic NBA and ABA historical moments. He is constantly compiling knowledge to his NBA IQ. He is always looking for more ways to amaze his fans with his eclectic knowledge. Don't see your favorite pro? No sweat, just request that the Nugg Doctor writes up an article on them so they aren't forgotten! Be sure to check the archives for legends your memory might need some refreshing on.

Friday, July 21, 2006

Nuggets Shopping at a Discount and KVH

(FortCollins-CO) The Denver Nuggets continue to be extremely frugal in their attempt to rebuild and restructure. What am I talking about you may ask? Since the Nuggets have signed both Carmelo Anthony and Nene to big contracts. Well I’ll tell you what I’m talking about! They have been extremely frugal in obtaining Josh Smith and allowing Francisco Elson to be dealt to the Spurs and look to continue that trend by signing summer league player Yakhouba Diawara to a two-year, 1.1 million dollar deal rumors www.HoopsHype.com. This signing also has a twist to it however, because Diawara has his signature down in the Italian League with Climamio Bologna. Due to that signature the Nuggets are reportedly going to have to buy out his contract with Bologna for a cool $500,000.

Yakhouba, my fingers cringe every time I have to type that name, looks pretty good on paper. He averaged 16 points and 5.5 rebounds in 22 games in a French summer league and was a solid player at Pepperdine University. At PU in 2004, Yakhouba averaged 14 points and 5.7 boards on his way to being honored on the All West Coast Conference team. Hopefully the Nuggets have stumbled upon a gold mine, but until I see Yakhouba against NBA caliber play. Lets just say verdict is still out…

Even more complex and mysterious is the rumor circulating that the Nuggets might be interested in Keith Van Horn. Van Horn, always a solid pro, couldn’t be more of what the Nuggets need less of in my opinion. We have too many big men already on the plate still to deal with, (talking about Reggie Evans and Kenyon Martin), and need to trim the position down. There will just not be enough minutes to give everyone playing time with the four and five being potentially divided up to Martin, Camby, Nene, Evans, and Najera.